The youth was brimming with murderous intent, the blade hidden at his fingertips lunging straight for Shen Hui’s neck.
Go to hell!
At the critical moment, Shen Hui used all his remaining strength to roll sideways, barely evading the fatal spot, but the blade still sliced open a large section of skin. Fresh blood gushed out, instantly staining half of his shoulder crimson.
The dazzling red and the scent of fresh blood made the youth even more excited and cruel. Like a hunter watching dying prey, he closed in step by step.
So frail, yet I really don’t understand what master ever saw in you.
Shen Hui let out a derisive sneer: Being targeted by him is hardly a good thing.
Cruelty flashed across the youth’s eyes. Looking at the disheveled Shen Hui on the ground, someone who possessed nothing except a pretty face, he figured his master would never be angry about him killing such a person, and might even praise him for it.
With that thought, the youth slashed down at Shen Hui without hesitation, only to stop abruptly just as he was about to succeed, turning his head toward the doorway.
If I were you, I wouldn’t do something so stupid.
Liu Fenghua stood leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed, glancing at Shen Hui, whose face was growing paler from excessive blood loss. Behind his calm and effortless exterior, he flashed a hand gesture telling them to remain calm.
Kill him, and you’ll bring a death sentence upon yourself.
The youth gave a disdainful snort: You think I’ll believe that?
My divinations are always extremely accurate. If you don’t believe me, ask him. Liu Fenghua pointed his chin toward Shen Hui.
At that moment, Shen Hui had black spots dancing before his eyes and a ringing in his ears, and he had zero inclination to humor Liu Fenghua’s cold jokes.
The youth sneered, seeing right through his intentions: Just based on you, you think you can save him?
An ordinary alpha like him was someone the youth could knock out three or four of with a single punch back at the base.
Knowing his own limitations, Liu Fenghua had no choice but to stall using a different tactic: Then let’s skip the divination. Years ago, I knew Chen Shenzhi, and our relationship was actually quite decent.
Chen Shenzhi’s name successfully captured the youth’s attention.
He truly is the person Chen Shenzhi cares about the most. And if I’m not mistaken, you’re merely a replacement. Liu Fenghua narrowed his eyes as he swept over the faint trace visible at the collar of the youth’s neck, a trace akin to anger flashing in his eyes: Or rather, a test subject.
Shut your mouth!
Instantly enraged, the youth hurled a throwing dart straight toward Liu Fenghua’s face. Liu Fenghua barely managed to dodge it, creating a step’s distance between himself and Shen Hui in the process.
Stop right there! Don’t move!
Several police officers quickly swarmed in from the windows and the back door, holding their firearms steady and training them directly on the youth’s brow.
The youth glared angrily at Liu Fenghua: You actually dared to call the police?!
This is a society ruled by law, kid. Liu Fenghua shrugged matter-of-factly: When you have trouble, you naturally turn to the police.
You just wait! The youth looked ready to eat him alive, but wary of the closing police officers, he had no choice but to slowly raise his hands.
Unexpectedly, the moment an officer reached for handcuffs, the youth suddenly made his move, snatching the gun from the officer’s waist. Instantly, the police backed off into a defensive stance. Without a moment’s hesitation, the youth hoisted the completely defenseless Shen Hui over his shoulder and vaulted out the back window of the ancestral hall, vanishing swiftly into the wild mountain forest behind the village.
None of the officers present had anticipated that someone would dare kidnap a hostage right under their noses; they immediately snapped back to reality and called for reinforcements.
The Earth Temple was nestled in a semi-developed wild mountain area, where dirt trails carved out by villagers and dilapidated red wooden boardwalks crisscrossed in every direction, completely devoid of surveillance cameras.
Carrying Shen Hui over his shoulder, the youth scurried through the mountain forest toward the village at the foot of the mountain with the agility of a wild monkey. As they neared the foot of the mountain, the phone in his pocket rang, which was the phone Chen Shenzhi had bought for him before sending him back to the country, and Chen Shenzhi was his sole contact.
The youth immediately came to a halt. Confirming that Shen Hui had passed out, he answered the call, his face beaming with delight: Master, I…
Don’t stop. Enter the village through the small alley ahead. Chen Shenzhi’s voice was completely unperturbed, though the youth could sense that he didn’t seem particularly pleased. Not daring to ask for clarification, he simply obeyed the order and kept running with Shen Hui.
There are cars on the main road ahead. Run straight across, keep the speed up.
If Shen Hui had been conscious, he would have caught the playful malice in Chen Shenzhi’s tone, which usually meant someone was about to be in danger.
Yet the youth was entirely loyal to orders alone, and without a single hesitation, he sprinted right past the front of a blocked Mercedes-Benz business van.
Just as Yan Jiu drove into Zhongshi Village five minutes before, he resolved that he was going to tear this village down completely.
The birdcage-like windows were densely packed to an unbelievable degree, narrow and dim passageways flowed with unidentified liquids, and even the main road was occupied by various street vendors, making it difficult for even a single vehicle to pass. He had spent a full five minutes crawling a mere hundred meters, interrupted constantly by the scolding of peddlers.
He couldn’t fathom how Shen Hui had managed to spend three years in a place like this. Or was it that he would rather stay here than come looking for him?
Filled with frustration, he watched Tang Fan massage his temples as he negotiated with the fruit vendor ahead to clear a path. After finally helping the fruit vendor push his cart aside to clear a spot, Tang Fan climbed back into the driver’s seat, thoroughly exhausted: Boss, are you really certain Mr. Shen would be in a place like this?
Find a place to park the car, and we’ll walk the rest of the way.
Tang Fan gave a bitter laugh as he started the engine: In this place, you have to fight just to find a spot for an e-bike. Where on earth is there room to park a car?
Just as the engine turned over, a dark shadow flashed swiftly across their field of view.
Patient as Tang Fan usually was, he was riled up enough to blow a fuse. He rolled down the window and cursed angrily: Running like that, are you in a rush to get reincarnated?!
The words had barely left his mouth when he heard his boss’s shocked voice: Shen Hui?!
Tang Fan: What?!
Without a second thought, Yan Jiu threw open the door and bolted after the dark shadow, rounding a corner and vanishing deep into the narrow alleyway.
Left with no choice, Tang Fan killed his engine and jumped out to chase after them, completely ignoring the fruit vendor’s ongoing curses.
Yan Jiu was entirely certain that the unconscious face belonged to Shen Hui, and worse, Shen Hui was injured. That distinct scent of fresh blood triggered his pheromones, instantly driving him into a frenzy.
Ahead of them, the youth sensed the alpha in hot pursuit, narrowly avoiding being caught several times. Fortunately, he had Chen Shenzhi’s remote guidance.
There’s an abandoned self-built house up ahead. Go in, head to the fourth floor, and lock the door securely.
Following Chen Shenzhi’s directions, the youth entered the building and pulled the heavy door shut with all his might, finally pausing to catch his breath.
The speed and endurance of the alpha behind him exceeded even his own; it had been a long time since he had been driven to such a sorry state.
Patiently waiting for the youth to regulate his breathing, Chen Shenzhi issued his next instruction: Put Shen Hui on the chair in the middle, tie him down properly, and then inject reagent number six.
Shen Hui was jolted awake by the burning pain of the wound on his neck. As his blurred vision gradually cleared, he saw the very youth who had tried to kill him meticulously bandaging his injuries, the special trauma medication stinging the cut with a fiery burn.
I apologize on behalf of Yi for his offense. Whether you believe it or not, I have no intention of harming you. Chen Shenzhi’s polite, well-mannered voice came through the phone he held before them, showing him sitting elegantly in his overseas office on the screen.
Shen Hui tried to sit up, only to discover that his hands and feet were bound to the chair, and this iron chair was actually welded directly to the floor.
This premediated setup instantly put him on high alert as he scanned his surroundings. The tens-of-square-meter room was spacious yet dilapidated, with every door and window sealed tight with steel bars.
Ha, so you’ve been plotting against me all along?
Now you’re just wronging me. Chen Shenzhi wore his signature near-academic expression, looking at everything with gentle fondness: This place was originally handed over to me by the Yan family; it’s said to be where they screened experimental subjects in the early years. The reason I didn’t let you handle it back then was simply because I didn’t want you tainted by such filthy things.
Shen Hui let out a cold laugh.
By this time, the youth had finished bandaging his wound and looked toward Chen Shenzhi on the screen with utmost reverence: Master, the bandage is done.
Mm.
Because of Chen Shenzhi’s coldness, Youth Yi was filled with panic and terror: Master, I…
Unwilling to allow any objections, Chen Shenzhi cut him off: I am reminiscing with A-Hui, and I will not tolerate anyone else interrupting.
Youth Yi lowered his head deeply, entirely engulfed by despair and fear, stripped of the arrogance and confidence he had shown earlier when confronting Shen Hui.
On the screen, Chen Shenzhi’s gaze lingered on Shen Hui’s wound, where a trace of pinkish blood was seeping through the bandages once again.
I will deal with him. Chen Shenzhi offered Shen Hui a sincere promise.
Yet his hypocritical affection only made Shen Hui want to vomit: Is trampling on other people’s sincerity really that much fun?
Chen Shenzhi smiled calmly: Are you talking about Yi? Am I to take that as jealousy?
Hearing that, Shen Hui felt as though he had heard a joke: Narcissism is a disease; you should get it treated early.
Well, it seems you’re still angry. Chen Shenzhi spoke as though he were coaxing an upset lover: Then let me give you a gift.
Cautiously, Shen Hui narrowed his eyes.
Something related to Yan Jiu. Chen Shenzhi smiled slightly: A mitigating agent that can alleviate the side effects of Reagent Number One. I imagine you’ll find this gift quite necessary.
Shen Hui’s memories were instantly yanked back to that night six years ago.
Shen Hui stood at the edge of the stairwell, lowering his gaze to look at Chen Shenzhi: Where is Yan Jiu?
Should I take that as you throwing a tantrum? Chen Shenzhi walked up the steps, stopping on the final stair. He reached out to stroke Shen Hui’s temple, only for Shen Hui to brush his hand away with a look of annoyance. Undeterred, Chen Shenzhi cupped his face instead.
Or are you jealous and afraid? Afraid that once Yan Jiu becomes my omega, you’ll be cast aside?
Hearing the word omega, Shen Hui instantly realized that today’s so-called transaction to return the Yan family industries was nothing more than a trap engineered by Chen Shenzhi. He gripped Chen Shenzhi’s wrist hard, gritting his teeth as he demanded: Where on earth is Yan Jiu?!
The nervous worry in his eyes looked entirely genuine, which for the first time made Chen Shenzhi truly harbor murderous intent toward Yan Jiu.
That flash of killing intent flickered through the light reflected in his eyes before melting into playful amusement.
Perhaps he should let Shen Hui see the hope he held dear transformed into an omega, so broken, so poignant, so bound to remain forever by his side.
Right next door to the private room you just saw.
Pushing him aside with a long stride, Shen Hui headed straight for the private room Chen Shenzhi had indicated. Moments later, the sounds of astonishment and bone-crushing punches echoed from within.
Three minutes later, Shen Hui emerged carrying the about-to-enter-rut Yan Jiu bridal-style in his arms.
The nineteen-year-old youth was already losing consciousness, wrapping his arms tightly around Shen Hui’s neck in a desperate bid to draw his scent from him.
Chen Shenzhi’s smile faded, his eyes holding a mocking amusement: Oh, looks like he’s about to undergo differentiation, doesn’t it?
Suppressing his boiling rage, Shen Hui was pushed over the edge by those words. Cradling the back of Yan Jiu’s knees with one arm, he freed his other hand and struck Chen Shenzhi across the face without a moment’s hesitation.
Slap.
All background noise vanished, leaving only a burning sting and a ringing in the ears.
Chen Shenzhi licked the blood from the corner of his mouth, watching Shen Hui’s hurried retreating figure with a pleased smile.